Article divider and delivering device



Dec. 26, 1950 F. RAsMussEN 2,535,866

ARTICLE DIVIDER AND DELIVERING DEVICE Filed Jun 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet1 l Je? i E05 l l |l| l' J- 75 i @a 20 7.9

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Fuga .June 13, 1949 F. RASMUSSEN ARTICLE DIVIDER AND DELIVERING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ggd 4.73931 L IIIIT36a E I] C B A Qms/wm J'asmussenfPatented Dec. 26, 1950 ARTICLE DIVIDER AND DELIVERING DEVICE nFredRasmussen, Seattle, Wash., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc.,New York, N. Y., a 'corporation of New York Application June 13, 1949,Serial No. 98,689

'1 Claims. (Cl. 198-66) The invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in an article divider and deliverer for selectivelydischarging articles from a single conveyor onto a group of associatedconveyors. The improved divider is particularly adapted for use in canmanufacturing plants and in canneries and will, therefore, be describedand illustrated in connection with the handling of cans, although it isto be understood that the invention may be used for many other purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide a can divider wherein cans arereceived from a single conveyor line and selectively discharged onto oneor more of a group of conveyor chutes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a divider of the abovetype wherein the operator may quickly change the selective control ofthe discharge of cans onto the chutes.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide a divider of theabove type wherein the cans are delivered, one after another, ontocarrying devices mounted at spaced intervals on an elevator with whichis associated a plurality of can receiving chutes arranged one'aboveanother, and wherein means is provided for selectively discharging thecans from the elevator into the chutes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a divider of theabove type wherein the means for selectively discharging the cans-fromthe elevator includes devices traveling with the elevator and spaced toconform to the carriers thereon and a shiitable stationary cam plateassociated with each chute for selectively operat ing the can dischargedevicesfor delivering cans into the chutes.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part behereinafter more fully disclosed. l

In the drawings which show by way of i1lus. tration the invention asapplied to of cans: 4

Figure 1 is a view on the line I-I of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 f Figure 1; l

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one of the columns, the elevatorfor conveying the cans, the discharge devices for discharging the cansfrom the elevator and one of the control plates for selectivelyoperating on the discharge devices;

Figure 4 is al diagrammatic view showing a portion of a discharge deviceand the operating rods carried thereby and also showing the cam platesin certain set positions for selectively op set so as to deliver all ofthe cans onto the lowerthe handling erating said discharge devices, saidplates being most chute of the group;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but

showing the cam plate set so as to deliver seventyilve percent of thecans onto the lowermost chute and twenty-rive percent of the cans ontothe uppermost chute; and

Figure 6 is a similar view with the cam plate shifted soV as to deliverfty percent of the cans onto the lowermost chutes and twenty-livepercent of the cans onto each of the uppermost chutes.

The invention has to do with an article dividing and deliverer devicewhich is capable of many uses. It is particularly adapted for use in acan plant or in a cannery -forthe handling of cans, either empty cans or:filled cans. The invention has, therefore, been illustrated as embodiedin a can handling device which receives cans one after another from asingle can conveying line and delivers the cans selectively onto one ormore conveying chutes or can lines.

The cans are fed into the divider from a can conveyor with which isassociated a suitable form of timing mechanism so that the cans aredelivered in spaced relation one after another to the can divider. `Onlya portion of the can conveying means which delivers cans to the divideris indief cated at I0 in the drawings. The cans are indicated at C andas shown in this figure, one can is just passed onto the elevator of thedivider. The can divider, as illustrated, includes two co1- umns Il andI2, which are spaced from each other.' Mounted in suitable bearings nearthe upper ends of the columns is a main operating shaft I3. The bearingsfor the shaft are indicated at I4, Il. Mounted in bearings I5, I5 at thelower end of the columns is a shaft I6. Mounted on the shaft I3 is apair of sprocket wheels Il and I8. An endless conveyor chain I9 runsover the sprocket wheel I'I on the shaft I3 and over a similar sprocketwheel 20 mounted on the shaft I6 at the lower end of the columns.

There is also a conveyor chain. 2| which runs over the sprocket I8 andover asimilar sprocket I9 on the shaft I6. Mounted at spaced intervalson these conveyor chains are can supporting plates 22. These cansupporting plates have upturned ends 23 so that `when a can C is placedon an upwardly traveling can support 22, the up-` turned end will holdthe can in position on the support and at the same time this upturnedend is of sufficient height so that the can can be forcibly;1 illed offthe support 22 over the upturned en There is a guide plate 24 and sideguide members 25 which assist in retaining the cans on the supports intheir upward travel until they reach the delivering chutes which areindicated at 26, 21, 28, and 29. In thelpresent arrangement there arefour chutes. These may be varied' in number, as will be hereinafter morefully pointed out. The conveyor chains |9 and 2|; together with the cansupporting plates 22 form what is referred to as an elevator whichreceives the cans one after another and carry them upwardly to thereceiving ends of the conveyor chutes which are arranged one above theother.

Mounted on the shaft I3 midway between the sprocket wheels |1 and I8 isa sprocket wheel 30. There is a sprocket wheel 3| mounted on a shaft 32which in turn is supported in a bracket 33 carried by the column A linkchain 34 runs over these sprocket Wheels and 3|, and the dischargeejecting devices for forcing a can off from a supporting plate on theelevator are carried by this link chain. The can discharge device ispivoted to one of the links of the chain as indicated at 35 (see Fig.3). The discharge device includes a U-shaped member 36 projecting fromone side of the pivot and a can engaging rod 31 projecting from theother side of the pivot. This rod and the U-shaped member are rigidlyconnected. Mounted on the link chain is a stop pin 38 and a spring 39turns this discharge device on the pivot so that it rests against thestop finger when it is not eiective for discharging a can. Each cansupport is cut away as indicated at 40 in Figure 3 so as to clear theidler 42, hereinafter described. On the outer end of the U-shapeddischarge device is a projecting member 4|.y This projecting member, asillustrated, includes a supporting stud and a series of rollers mountedthereon. These discharge devices for discharging the cans from the cansupports on the elevator travel in time with the elevator and as notedthere is a discharge device associated with each can support. When thereare four chutes as indicated in Figure 1 then the can discharge devicesare arranged in groups of four,

, the only difference between the discharge devices in the groups is thelength of this projecting member 4|, on the can discharge device.

Viewing Figure 1, we will assume that the four can discharge devicesopposite the chutes is one of the groups of four. There are three othergroups of four on this link chain 34 and we will number these fourdischarge devices 36, 36h, 36c and 36d respectively.

Referring to Figure 4, it is noted that the member 4| of the dischargedevice 36a is longer than -the member 4| of the discharge device 36".Like- Wise, the member 4| of the discharge device 36Cr is shorter thanthat carried by 36b and the member 4| of the discharge device 36d isshorter than any of the others.

To aid in an understanding of the purpose of the different lengths ofthe members 4|, we are numbering in Figure 4 these members 4|, 4|b, 4 Icand 4 |d respectively.

There is an idler 42 over which the link chain 34 runs and this willcause the upwardly moving portion of the link chain to travel in a lineparallel with the conveyor chains of the elevator, but slightly spacedaway therefrom. This link chain 34 running over the same size drivingsprocket at the upper end, as the driving sprocket for the elevator,will cause the link chain to move in time with the elevator so that eachone of these discharging devices remains in a xed relation to the cansupport on the elevator with which it is associated.

Mounted on a bracket 43 carried by the column I2 is a cam plate 44. Thecam plate is provided with slots 45, 45 extending longitudinally of theplate. Headed studs 46, 46 pass through the slots and are threaded intothe bracket so as to support the plate on the bracket while permittingendwise movement of the plate. There are four of these plates. Theuppermost plate 44 does not have the slots but is set in, a Xed positionon its supporting bracket. To aid in the understanding of the operationof these cam plates they are numbered in Figure 2 and in Figures 4 to 6,44, 44h, 44c and 44d respectively.

The cam plates with the slots are shiftable endwise independently.Associated with the cam plate 44c is a rock lever 41 pivoted at 48 to asupporting bracket 49 carried by the column l2. This rock lever isconnected by a link 50 to the plate 44e. Pivoted to the other end of therock lever 41 is a rod 5| which is connected to a hand operated lever 52at its lower end and this hand operated lever is pivoted at 53 and hasassociated with it the sector holding plate 54. There is a similar handlever 55 connected by a rod 56 to a bell crank 51 which in turn isconnected by a. link 58 to the control plate 44h. There is also anothersimilar lever 59 connected to a rod 60 which in turn is connected to abell crank 6| and through the link 62 to the control plate 44a. There isa control plate 44 associated with each chute and it has aflxed relationthereto. These control plates are arrangedin an inclined position andlie in the path of travel of certain of the projecting members 4|carried by the discharge devices.

As viewed in Figure 3, the discharge device at the upper end is 36a ofthe group and it carries the longest pin member 4|. The end of this pincontacts with the under inclined face of the plate 44 and will oscillatethe discharge device in a clockwise direction and this will cause therod 31 to engage the can and force the same oil` from the support intothe lowermost chute 26. Following this discharge member 36 is adischarge member 36d which carries the shortest control pin 4|d. Withthe plate 44a set as shown in Figure 3, then it is obvious that this pn4|d would not contact the plate and would not be operated to dischargethe can on the support associated with this discharge device. Byshifting this cam plate, the cans maybe selectively discharged onto thechutes.

In Figure 4 these cam plates are shifted so that the cam plate 44a liesin a position where each one of the control pins 4|a, 4th, 4|c and 4|dwill contact the same and therefore all of the discharge devices will beoperated as they pass one after another on this plate 44a' and onehundred percent of the cans will be discharged onto the chute 26.

When the plates are shifted to the position shown in Figure 5, then thepins 4|, 4|h and 4| will each, one after the other, contact the controlplate 44a but the pin 4|l will pass the plates 44, 44b and 44c and willcontact with the plate 44d. Under this arrangement seventy-five percentof the cans will be delivered onto the chute 26 and twenty-five percentwill be delivered onto the chute 29. If the plates are shifted to theposition shown in Figure 6, then the pins 4| and 4|b will contact withthe plates 448L and be operated thereby, while the control pin 4|c willpass both the plates 44a and 44h and be contacted by the plate 44C. Thepin 4|d will pass all the other plates and will contact the plate 44.Under this arrangementiifty percent of the cans will be discharged ontothe chute 28, twenty-live Percent will be discharged onto the chute 28and25 percent will be discharged onto the chute 28. The upper controlplate 44d, as noted. is ilxed and no control pin can pass the samewithout being operated thereby and,'therefore, no cans can pass theupper chute 29 and pass around the sprockets at the upper end and causea jam.

Let us assume that the can divider is installed in a cannery andreceives the cans from one high speed canning line and it is desired todeliver the cans to four continuously operating cookers and when thesecookers are operated normally it is desired that twenty-five percent ofthe cans shall be delivered to each cooker, then the plates would be setas shown in Figure 2, and these control plates will operate one afteranother upon the discharge devices so that one out of each four canswill be delivered to the respective chutes.

Let us suppose again, that for some reason one of the cookers is shutdown temporarily and that it is the cooker which is receiving cans fromthe chute 21, then the control plates would be shifted to thev positionshown in Figure 6 and the cans which were being discharged onto chute 21would then be discharged onto chute 25. This does not interfere with thenormal discharge of the cans onto chutes 2B and 29 respectively. It willbe seen, therefore, that this divider which is under the very quickcontrol of an operator can be sd adjusted as to take care of all of thecans coming from the canning line While one of the cookers is beingstopped and reconditioned for operation. Let us assume that the outputof the Cannery is low as to the number of cans and only the cookerassociated with the chute 29 is in use. In such a case all that isnecessary is to move the shiftable plates M, Mb and 44" to the positionindicated by the line E, in which case the discharge devices would allpass free of these lower three plates and will contact the upper plateonly so that all cans would be discharged into the chute 29. This isoneof the many uses which the improved can divider can be employed. It willbe noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the invention there arefour chutes and a cam plate associated with each chute. The link chaincarries sixteen can discharging devices and they are divided into groupsof four, and in each group the control pins on the outer ends of the candischarging devices are all of different lengths.

Preferably, the link chain carries twelve discharge devices. As thedigit twelve is a multiple of 2-3-4 and 6, it is obvious that such abasic elevator can be readily adapted to discharge cans at either 2-3-4or 6 points by simply providing the proper length pins on each dischargedevice arranged respectively in 6 sets of 2; 4 sets of 3: 3 sets of 4 or2 sets of 6.

Assuming that a canner requires cans to go to six locations. he would besupplied with an elevator having six outlet chutes. six control platesand a link chain carrying 12 discharge devices divided into two groups.In the event that his production was seasonably reduced, and during thistime only four points of discharge were required, the adjustment couldquickly be made by removing two of the control plates and changing thelength of the pins on four of the discharge devices so that, instead ofsix pins of each group being progressively longer, the pins on foursuccessive discharge devices would be progressively longer.

It is obvious` that manychanges may be made in the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts for adapting the divider forvarious uses ing devices, conveying chutes` spaced at intervals alongthe conveyor for receiving articles from said conveyor, devicesindependent of the article conveyor traveling in timing with theconveyor for discharging articles from the Aconveyor into the chutes andcam plates associated with said chutes f and operating selectively onsaid discharge devices for discharging the articles into selectivechutes.

2. A can divider comprising an elevator having at spaced intervals cancarrying devices, conveying chutes at different levels for receivingcans from said elevator, devic independent of the elevator traveling intiming with the elevator for discharging cans from the elevator into thechutes and cam plates associated with each chute and operatingselectively on the discharge devices for discharging the cans intoselected chutes.

3.`A can divider comprising an elevator having at spaced intervals cancarrying devices, conveying chutes at different levels for receivingcans from said elevator, devices independent of the elevator travelingin timing with the elevator for discharging cans from the elevator intothe chutes and camplates associated with each chute and operatingselectively on the discharge devices for discharging the cans intoselected chutes. and means controlled by the operator for independentlyshifting certain of said cam plates for rendering the same operative orinoperative and thereby changing the selection of chutes into which thecans are discharged.

4. A can divider comprising an elevator having at spaced intervals canvarrying devices, conveying chutes at different levels for receivingcans Y from said elevator, an endless chain traveling in timing withsaid elevator and paralleling the path of the elevator as it passes saidchute, can discharging devices carried by said chain and positioned inthe same spaced relation as the can carriers on the elevator and camplates associated with each chute and operating selectively on saiddischarge devices for delivering the cans :into selected chutes.

5. A can divider comprising an elevator having at spaced intervals cancarrying devices, conveying chutes at different levels for receivingcans from said elevator, an endless chain traveling in timing with saidelevator and paralleling the path of the elevator as it passes saidchutes, can discharging devices4 carried by said chain and positioned inthe same spaced relation as the can carriers on the elevator and camplates associated with each chute and operating selectively on saiddischarge devices for delivering the cans into selected chutes, andmeans controlled by the operator for independently shifting certain ofsaid cam plates for rendering the same operative or inoperative andthereby changing the selection of chutes into which the cans aredischarged.

6. A can divider comprising an elevator having at spaced intervals cancarrying devices, conveylng chutes at differentr levels for receivingcans from said elevator, an endless chain traveling in timing with saidelevator and paralleling the path of the elevator as it passes saidchutes, can discharging devices carried by said chain and posiausaseetrol pins of said devices in a group being of different lengths, and camplates associated with each chute and operating selectively on saidcontrol pins of the discharge devices for discharging cans into selectedchutes.

7. A can divider comprising an elevator having at spaced intervals cancarrying devices, conveying chutes at different levels for receivingcans from said elevator, an endless chain traveling in timing with saidelevator and paralleling the'path of the elevator as it passes saidchutes, can discharging devices carried by said chain and positioned inthe same spaced relation as the can carrying devices on the elevator,each can discharging device being pivoted intermediate its ends on saidchain and having at one end a rod adapted when operated to push the canfrom the can support associated therewith into a chute,

8 said discharging device having at its other end a-control pin, saiddischarge devices being divided into groups of the same num-ber as thechutes, the control\ pins of said devices in a group being of differentlengths, and cam plates associated with each chute and operatingselectively on said control pins of the discharge devices fordischarging cans into selected chutes, and means controlled by theoperator for independently shifting certain of said cam plates forrendering the same operative or inoperative on the control pins andthereby changing the selection of chutes into which the cans aredischarged.

. FRED RASMUSSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the vfile ofthis patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 445,611 Ruddell Feb. 3, 1891'746,247 Baggaley Dec. 8, 1903 1,467,008 Parker Sept. 4, 1923 1,856,262Rebstock May 3, 1932 2,390,261 Le Roy Dec. 4, 1945 2,417,753 Hesson Mar.18, 1947

